Saudi Arabia: Khashoggi Killed During Fight At Turkish Consulate

A general manager of Alarab TV, Jamal Khashoggi, looks on during a press conference in the Bahraini capital Manama, on December 15, 2014. (MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images)

(CBS News) — For the first time, Saudi Arabian state television said Friday that journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead. Saudi state television reported that an investigation found that a fight broke out at the Turkish consulate between Khashoggi and people who met him there.

The Saudi public prosecutor said 18 people have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

The Saudi statement indicated that Khashoggi died in a fist fight. In the past week, reports that cited Turkish officials painted a different picture: Reports said that one of Khashoggi’s interrogators was an autopsy specialist with a bone saw, and that Khashoggi was ultimately dismembered.

Saudi state media also issued an apology: “The kingdom expresses its deep regret,” said a statement in state media.

Khashoggi, who was U.S.-based and wrote for The Washington Post, disappeared on Oct. 2 after going into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials have said, anonymously, that Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate, by a 15-man team.

It’s unclear what the U.S. response will be. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Friday that the Saudi “investigation into the fate of Jamal Khashoggi is progressing and that it has taken action against the suspects it has identified thus far.”

“We will continue to closely follow the international investigations into this tragic incident and advocate for justice that is timely, transparent, and in accordance with all due process,” the statement said. “We are saddened to hear confirmation of Mr. Khashoggi’s death, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family, fiancée, and friends.”

President Trump has promised “severe punishment” if the reports of Khashoggi’s death were true, but Mr. Trump has also openly cautioned against actions that would risk U.S. business interests, including billions in arms sales.

U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Senator Lindsay Graham have warned of tough action. “To say that I am skeptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr. Khashoggi is an understatement,” said Graham on Twitter.

One issue will be how much blame can be placed on bin Salman, known by many as MBS. Experts have said he would have known of a plot to murder Khashoggi, given the control he has. But he has not been officially connected to the incident.

“Is it the ‘Trump effect’ that made Prince Mohammad bin Salman feel empowered to this impulsive behavior in foreign policy?” Khashoggi said. “It is dangerous. It is dangerous for Saudi Arabia, for the region.”